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Openings

A cinema has returned to the medieval town of Rye, in East Sussex, after a break of nearly 40 years.

Kino Rye has been built on the site of the former library and adult education centre at the top of Lion Street.

The historical site had been earmarked for housing, but after local opposition it was bought by a community group who pledged hundreds of thousands of pounds to ensure part of the building was saved from the bulldozers.

A new Wawa convenience store, famous in the Northeast for their subs, is due to open in Riverview this month, and a high-tech movie theater is also on schedule to open in Gibsonton later this year.

Wawa, 9617 U.S. 301 S., is set to hold its grand opening Thursday, Jan. 15. The 14-screen Goodrich Quality Theaters multiplex at Gibsonton Drive and I-75 is due to open in November.

The new theater and convenience store are expected to bring more than 30 full-time jobs as well as more than 40 part-time positions.

“Progress can be a beautiful thing,” said Tanya Doran, executive director of the Greater Riverview Chamber of Commerce. “Having these companies come in and invest in our community will help provide jobs in our area, which is also great for local businesses, especially if they turn around [and] buy homes in the area, go out to local restaurants and shop in the community. It’s an economic benefit that will help boost the community.”

South Shore movie lovers now have a choice of navigating the third circle of Hades, otherwise known as Brandon traffic, to watch a film at the AMC Regency in Brandon or heading south to Bradenton or into Tampa to catch a film. Or they can watch an outdoor movie at the Ruskin Family Drive-In.

“Having a movie theater in our area is going to be great,” said Daryl Clark, a longtime Riverview resident. “Brandon, for us, normally takes about 25 to 30 minutes to get to, and then you have the traffic and the crowds, so having a movie house closer to our area will just make things a little more convenient.”

Clark expects other businesses to ride the coattails of the megaplex. “I know with big-time movie theaters such as this, it will also bring other goods and services to the area. My whole family is excited,” he said.

The 14-screen state-of-the-art 80,000-square-foot theater features one large-format auditorium, and a bar and grill with theaters featuring recliner seating. The new facility is being developed by Anthony Properties of Dallas, Texas, and designed by Paradigm Design of Grand Rapids, Mich.

If you’re excited about catching a holiday flick at Agawam Cinemas, you’ll have to hold your horses.

Kimberly Wheeler, who bought the cinema in September, said the theater is expected to resume screenings at the end of January. The 31-year-old Agawam resident had hoped to open the cinema earlier this month, she said, but unforeseen electrical work has delayed renovations.

“I really wanted to be open for the holidays,” Wheeler said Thursday. “That’s the stinky part of it.”

Former owner Sal Anzalotti closed the theater in May. Anzalotti, who ran the business from 1996 to 2014, said he couldn’t afford to convert the theater’s projectors from film to digital and had difficulty competing with large multiplexes in the area.

HOWELL, MI — After just over a year in darkness, the Howell Theatre reopened last week. They’ve updated the theatre, repainting and adding digital projectors but the programming is what really is catching eyes. They’re making a commitment to nurturing talent in the area by showing locally produced films and live entertainment. Classic films will be shown as well.

TUCSON, AZ — For the first time in 40 years, downtown Tucson have a first-run movie theater. What was a former music club is now the Screening Room. The recently renovated theatre plans to show art-house fare in conjunction with Grand Cinemas and Arizona Media Arts Center.

LOWELL, MA — There are 20 theaters listed on Cinema Treasures in Lowell but only 1 is operating. It’ll be 2 come this weekend with the opening of the Luna Theater. The 80 seat gem will finally bring movies back to downtown with a mix of independent films and live performances.

COVINGTON, LA — Shuttered six years ago, the Movie Tavern was in decline in the latter part of its days as the Holiday Square. It’s finally back though following an extensive renovation and a destination again as one of the only dine-in theaters in the area.

PRINCTEON, NJ — The Garden Theatre reopened last week after about a month in darkness. They made upgrades to the concession stand and lighting as well as some other minor touch-ups. They converted to digital last summer. They plan on hosting a classic film series this summer and want more local input on programming.

KANSAS CITY, MO — Good news from KC drive-ins! The I-70 and Twin have made the last minute switch to digital. Expanded menus and more are in store for the saved cinemas. The area lost nearly all their drive-ins but now with these and the Boulevard, they’re back to having a robust selection.